Foster for East Midlands Councils is joining The Fostering Network in celebrating Children of Foster Carers’ Week, 13–19 October. During this special week we recognise the amazing children who help their families care for foster children.
Every year in October, fostering services across the UK run fun events and activities to say thank you to children of foster carers for everything they do to make foster children feel happier, welcome, safe, and loved. These children play a huge part in helping new foster children settle in and feel part of a family from the moment they arrive.
One of those children is Isla, who knows exactly what it’s like to grow up in a fostering family. She’s 13 years old and has been helping her parents care for foster children for as long as she can remember.
Isla says, “I was quite young when we started. So all I really remember is growing up with a child in our home, and it’s just become part of my life now.”
Whenever a new foster child is coming to stay, Isla and her family get everything ready together. “We have boxes with clothes and toys for different ages,” Isla explained. “If we see something nice in a shop, we buy it so it’s ready for when we have a new child. When we know someone might be coming, we all get excited and start setting up the room.”
Sometimes, the children they welcome are very young — even newborn babies! “Once we had a baby who was just 24 hours old,” Isla said. “We were bursting with excitement! It’s always lovely when a child really attaches to you. It feels like you’re their real sibling.”
Even though saying goodbye can be hard, Isla knows it’s part of helping. “It can be sad, but you know they’re going to a family where they’ll have an amazing life. It makes you proud to know you were part of their story.”
Isla also said she and her family get lots of support. “Once a year we get a certificate and a gift voucher to say thank you. It makes you feel special and proud because you know you’ve made a difference.”
Her advice for other children whose parents might want to foster is simple but meaningful: “It might seem scary at first, but after a while it just feels normal. It’s really nice to know you’re helping someone and making a difference in their life.”
Watch Isla talk about fostering as a family.
Voices of other children of foster carers
Emily says,
“Fostering has taught me that family love extends far beyond flesh and blood to the different children who come into our lives through fostering.”
Noah explains,
“You learn more about caring for someone and accepting others into your family.”
Jed adds,
“It’s helped us become more inclusive and grow in our awareness of other cultures.”
And Ella shares,
“It has influenced my career path and what I’m studying at university. It’s a very special experience as you welcome lots of different children into your home.”
These voices remind us that fostering isn’t just about one person or one home, it’s about whole families coming together to make a difference.
All these children play a huge part of why fostering works so well. They help new children feel safe, happy, and loved. This special week is a chance for Foster for East Midlands Councils and fostering services across the UK to say a big thank you to every child of a foster carer for the kindness, patience, and care they show every day.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Council’s Cabinet Member for Fostering for East Midlands Councils, added:
“Children like Isla and so many others across the East Midlands play a vital role in making fostering a success. Their kindness, understanding and willingness to share their families and homes make an incredible difference to the lives of children in care. This week is about celebrating them, saying thank you, and recognising the amazing contribution they make every day.”
If you feel inspired by Isla’s story and feel you and your family could foster for your local community, contact Foster for East Midlands Councils, a partnership of four councils — Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.
Visit fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk, call 03033 132 950, or email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk.